Bunny Show Jumping - You must be 'hopping mad!'
Ever thought show jumping on your horse was too difficult? Well, maybe Rabbit show jumping could be for you!
Invented in the early 80’s in Sweden, Rabbit show jumping consists of bunnies bouncing around courses of small jumps which vary in height and width. Spreading world wide over the last few years, Rabbit jumping clubs have sprung up across Europe, U.S, Canada, and Japan.
In the German City of Jenna lives the black-and-white star of the bunny jumping world, Snoopy. Part of the local Kaninhop Club, Snoopy uses his bouncy bunny legs to leap over an assortment of fences from barricades, water trays and rails to a maximum of 60cms.
Proud owner of Snoopy, Claudia Fehlen, discovered the sport on the internet. Claudia then started practicing with her rabbits in the back garden and in 2009, founded the Jeana bunny hopping club.
From 2009 Snoopy has proved his talent, with Claudia telling Der Spiegel. 'Snoopy can jump 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) high.'
The 23-year-old also said: 'And he has done well in tournaments. He came in second once, and third another time.'
The competition isn’t just as simple as jumping a few fences. Although the rules vary in different countries, the aim of the game is to clear as many fences as possible with a time element sometimes included. They also range in style, from a dressage style, to high jump and long jump.
However, the sport is becoming controversial with Animal rights groups criticising the use of leashes in Kaninhop competitions and accused trainers of using the equipment to pull rabbits over the fences against there will.
Miss Fehlen rejected the argument, saying that the leashes are practical at competitions. ‘We use them in tournaments for safety,' she said.
'Just think of what would happen if a male were to break free. We want to avoid uncontrolled reproduction. It has happened before.'
So, maybe trade in your equestrian clothing for a jumping bunny and who knows, maybe Britain will be the next place for a club to ‘spring up’!
To view a video of bunny jumping in action, click on the link below: -
Invented in the early 80’s in Sweden, Rabbit show jumping consists of bunnies bouncing around courses of small jumps which vary in height and width. Spreading world wide over the last few years, Rabbit jumping clubs have sprung up across Europe, U.S, Canada, and Japan.
In the German City of Jenna lives the black-and-white star of the bunny jumping world, Snoopy. Part of the local Kaninhop Club, Snoopy uses his bouncy bunny legs to leap over an assortment of fences from barricades, water trays and rails to a maximum of 60cms.
Proud owner of Snoopy, Claudia Fehlen, discovered the sport on the internet. Claudia then started practicing with her rabbits in the back garden and in 2009, founded the Jeana bunny hopping club.
From 2009 Snoopy has proved his talent, with Claudia telling Der Spiegel. 'Snoopy can jump 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) high.'
The 23-year-old also said: 'And he has done well in tournaments. He came in second once, and third another time.'
The competition isn’t just as simple as jumping a few fences. Although the rules vary in different countries, the aim of the game is to clear as many fences as possible with a time element sometimes included. They also range in style, from a dressage style, to high jump and long jump.
However, the sport is becoming controversial with Animal rights groups criticising the use of leashes in Kaninhop competitions and accused trainers of using the equipment to pull rabbits over the fences against there will.
Miss Fehlen rejected the argument, saying that the leashes are practical at competitions. ‘We use them in tournaments for safety,' she said.
'Just think of what would happen if a male were to break free. We want to avoid uncontrolled reproduction. It has happened before.'
So, maybe trade in your equestrian clothing for a jumping bunny and who knows, maybe Britain will be the next place for a club to ‘spring up’!
To view a video of bunny jumping in action, click on the link below: -
posted by Fuse | 5:15 PM
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